The first phase of a major apartment development being built on a landmark site on the old Finglas Road, Dublin 11, four miles from Dublin city centre is being launched today by Hooke & MacDonald.
Two-bedroom apartments in Premier Square, being built on the site of the former Premier Dairies, start at £145,000 (€184,150) and three-bedroom units at £178,000 (€226,060).
These are some of the lowest prices for an apartment development close to the city centre for years, and are targeted squarely at first-time buyers.
There will be 30 units for sale in the first phase of the £60 million (€76.2 million) development, which will comprise 338 apartments in 12 separate buildings varying in height from four to seven storeys when it is completed.
Close to both Finglas Village and Glasnevin, it has been a landmark for almost a century. It was owned in the earlier part of the last century by the Craigie family, when it was known as Merville Dairies. Prices at Premier Square are perhaps indicative of the state of the current market, with buyers becoming increasingly cost conscious and looking for value for money as well as good design and finish.
The two-bedroom apartments, costing from £145,000 (€184,150), will range in size from 650 to 750 sq ft; the three-beds, costing from £178,000 (€226,060), are 1,000 sq ft. There are plans for a gym and landscaped grounds. Car-parking spaces are included. Developer Woodgreen Builders converted the old mill at Crossguns Bridge in Phibsborough into apartments and developed Palatine Square in Arbour Hill. The Old Finglas Road has been a popular choice with first-time buyers in recent years. Tolka Vale, a scheme of 100 units opposite the Royal Oak pub, was launched in 1999 with prices starting at £120,000 (€152,400).
In March 2000, the final phase of that scheme was sold at prices ranging from £132,950 (€168,846) to £250,000 (€317,500) for the penthouses. There are two penthouses remaining for sale through Ross McParland.
The area is served by the Janelle Shopping Centre, currently being revamped by Tesco, as well as by all the facilities of Glasnevin and Finglas village.
